Derek Jacobi joins the cast of Branagh's Romeo & Juliet

Olivier Award winner Sir Derek Jacobi has joined the cast of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's upcoming production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Jacobi will star as Mercutio alongside Lily James as Juliet and Richard Madden as Romeo. Branagh recently directed Jacobi, James and Madden in the recent live-action remake of Disney's 'Cinderella.'

Kenneth Branagh released the following statement:

"This heartbreaking tale of forbidden love is one that has inspired generations of adaptations and thoroughly deserves to be seen in its original form. 'Game of Thrones' star Richard Madden plays opposite 'Downton Abbey's' Lily James as Shakespeare's star crossed lovers."

Further casting and creative team information will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for all productions of The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season are now on sale.

Sir Derek Jacobi's many stage credits include 'Heartbreak House,' 'King Lear,' two productions of 'Twelfth Night' (Olivier Award; Best Actor), 'The Tempest,' 'Macbeth,' 'Richard III' and 'Richard II,' 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Olivier Award; Best Actor), 'Cyrano De Bergerac,' 'Ivanov,' 'Antony and Cleopatra' and three productions of 'Hamlet.' He is also well-known for his TV and film career. His screen credits include 'Cinderella,' 'The King's Speech,' 'A Bunch of Amateurs,' 'The Golden Compass,' 'Gosford Park,' 'Gladiator,' and 'Last Tango in Halifax.'